Meal and lunch breaks in Maine
Employees must be given a chance to take at least 30 consecutive minutes of rest after 6 consecutive hours of work, except in emergencies. It can be used to eat.
Rest breaks in Maine
Maine doesn't require paid rest breaks for adults. If your employer gives short breaks (usually 5 to 20 minutes), federal law says they must be paid.
Good to know
- This doesn't apply where fewer than 3 employees are on duty and the work allows frequent breaks, or where a union contract or written agreement says otherwise.
What federal law says (applies in every state)
- Federal law doesn't require employers to give meal or rest breaks.
- If your employer does give short breaks (usually 5 to 20 minutes), they must be paid.
- Meal breaks of 30 minutes or more can be unpaid, but only if you're fully relieved of work. If you have to keep working while you eat, that time must be paid.
- Most employers must give reasonable break time and a private space (not a bathroom) for nursing employees to pump breast milk for up to a year after a baby's birth.
Work out your hours
Use the Lunch Break Calculator to see your hours worked after an unpaid lunch, or the Timesheet Calculator to add up your week.
Please note: This page is a plain-English summary for adult (18+) private-sector employees, last checked October 2026. Workers under 18, government employees and union members often have different rules. Laws change, so for an official answer check with your state labor department. This isn't legal advice.